Apparatus for uniting metal bodies.



L. P. CRECELIUS.

APPARATUS FOR urmme METAL BODIES.

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3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

,J fnuenfofl m AM APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1915.

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APPARATUS FOR UNITING METAL BODIES.

,APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, I915.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEEI 2 L.'P. CRECELIUS.

APPARATUS FOR UNITING METAL BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 3(h1915- 1,294,409.

. 1 Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEEI 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE P. CRECELIUS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRICBAIL- WAY IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OFOHIO.

APPARATUS FOR UNITING METAL BODIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application fled April :0, 1915. Seriail m. 24,9:1.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE P. Canon- LIUS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cleveland, in the county of C-uyalioga and State ofOhio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Apparatusfor Uniting Metal Bodies, of which the fol lowing is a full, clear, andexact desm'ipti'on.

This invention relates, to apparatus for uniting metal bodies adaptedparticularly for rail bonding purposes, and is an improvement over therail bonding apparatus constituting the subject matter of theapplication of Paul H. Eberlein and myself, Serial No. 759,074, filedApril 5th, 1913, (patented Oct. 9, 1917, and numbered Apparatus foruniting metal bodies by means of either one or two heating electrodeswhich are pressed against one or both the bodies to be uni-ted are wellknown in the art and have been employed for brazing copper bonds tosteel rails In one well known construction the operating parts of theapparatus are carried by a car which runs on the rails of the track tobe bonded. These operating parts include a single heating electrodewhich is adapted to be pressed against the bond, and suitable electricalapparatus consisting of a rotary converter and transformer, one of theterminals of which is connected to the electrode and the other beinggrounded so that the current will pass from one terminal of thetransformer through the electrode, bond and rail to the other terminalof the transformer.

In the Crecelius and Eberlein application above referred to, there isdisclosed a rail bonding apparatus which is small and compact and isdesigned to be clamped to the rail in such a way that it does notobstruct the track being bonded. Additionally, this apparatus includestwo heating electrodes mounted on a carrier in such a way that both maybe ressed with variable pressures against the terminal of the bond,these electrodes being connected to the terminals of the current sourcein such a way that the current passes through the electrodes and bond inseries. With this apparatus, and especially because of the use of thetwo series connected electrodes the current required for bonding isreduced to such an extent that small leads mav be employed and by thearc.

the apparatus may, therefore, be carried by hand from point to ointalong the track.

The main objectof the present invention is to provide an apparatus whichhas all the advantages of the Crecelius and Eberlein apparatus abovebriefly described, but which reduces still further the current requiredfor brazing or otherwise uniting two metal bodies, and also reduces thetime required for the uniting operation.

This is accomplished by mechanism having a high resistance heatingelectrode which is designed to be pressed against one of the bodies tobe united so as to heat the same by conduction, and means for creatingan arc in the electric circuit at the electrode so that the heatingeffect of the current pass ing through the electrode will be intensifiedIn the specific embodiment of my invention here shown. two electrodesare utilized, although two are not essential, and the arcing is createdbetween the electrodes and the part which they are adapted to engageandheat, by vibrating the electrodes.

The invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in certainnovel combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described inthe specification and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein I have shown two forms ofmy invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved rail bondingapparatus applied to the rail, the apparatus here shown having amechanical electrode vibrator; Fig. 2 is a section substantially alongthe line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 4 isa sectional view substantially along the line H of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is atop plan view showing a modification which is provided with anelectrically-operated electrode vibrator; and Fig. 6 is a side view ofthe same.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 4, 10 representsa rail which may be regarded as a rail of the track to be bonded. Theapparatus embodying my invention is attached to the rail and issupported at one side of the same so that the gage line is clear andunobstructed, this apparatus including a rail clamp composed of twoparts 11 and. 12, which are adapted to grip opposite sides of the railflange, as ,hown particularly in Fig. 1, and the parts rier 15 and allparts suipported thereby to be easily and quickly removed from theclamp, or to be placed in position and properly supported and to beadjusted lengthwise of the rail to properly position the electrodes withreference to the bond terminal or with reference to the point to whichthe terminal is to be attached. In this particular instance the carrier15 supports two electrodes, this carrier being provided with a pair ofundercut slots or guideways which receive a pair of slides 16 to whichare secured by screws 17 a pair of box like electrode holders 18insulated from each other and from the slides and carrying highresistance heating '-.electrodes 19 preferably composed of carbon. Theseholders 18 are provided with quick detachable coupling members 20 towhich are adapted to be connected complementary coupling members 21attached to transformer leads 22, one of which is shown in Fig. 3.

With this construction, when both the heating electrodes 19 are pressedagainst the terminal of the bond which is designated 23, the currentwill pass from one electrode into the terminal of the bond and from thebond into the other electrode, In other words, current passes throughthe two electrodes and bond with the three parts in series relationship.This feature or use of the two series electrodes is embodied in theapparatus disclosed in the Crecelius and Eberlein application previouslyreferred to. As disclosed in said prior application, the bond is heatedby conduction from the two electrodes, by the heat generated at thepoints of contact between the electrodes and the bond, and by thecurrent itself passing through the bond from one electrode to the other.The pressures of the electrodes on the bond terminal and the heatingeffects can be adjusted by adjusting screws connect ed to the slides, sothat the portions ofthe terminal opposite both electrodes'will beuniformly heated.

In accordance with the present invention, the bond is heated by the highresistance electrodes by conduction and also by the passage of currentthrough the bond and by the heat generated at the points of contactbetween the olectrodes'and bond, as in the prior construction, and inthis case it is heated additionally by rapidly moving the electrodesaway from and toward or against the terminal so as to create a rapidarcing, which brings the terminal of the bond and the adjacent portionof the rail to brazing temperature much more quickly or with lesscurrent than with the prior construction. This part of the apparatuswill now be described.

It will be observed that each of the slides has. connected :to it anadjusting screw which has a threaded connection with the slide andpasses loosely through the outer end 15 of the carrier 15. Theelectrodes are pressed against the terminal of the bond and theadjusting screws are normally held in a certain definite position withcollars 26 bearing against the outer face of the end 15 of the carrierby coil springs 27, which surround the adjusting screws, and are ar-'ranged between the end 15 of the carrier and collars or abutments 28fixed to the adjusting screws. By adjusting the screws 25, the electrodeholders may be moved toward or from the terminal of the bond, so as toadjust the pressures of the electrodes against the bond. 2

To produce the vibrating or arcing effect previously referred to, theadjusting screws are rapidly and alternatively pulled outwardly, andthen released so that the springs may restore the screws and electrodesto normal position with the electrodes bearing against the bondterminal. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4., this is donemechanically by mechanism including a short shaft 30 rotatably supportedby a bracket 31 secured by screws 32 to the end 15 of the carrier 15,and by a plate 31 supported on the adjusting screws 25. This shaft ispro vided with a disk 33 having a series of camming lugs or ribs 34:,which as the disk is rotated are adapted to engage the beveled faces ordisks or other suitable abutnients secured to the adjusting screws 25 ashort distance in front of the collars 26, and force the members 35outwardly. WVhen the shaft 30 is turned by hand, the ridges of the disk33 engaged the two beveled members alternately, alternately retractingthe adjusting screws 25 and the electrodes 19. As soon as one of theribs rides oil of the member 35. the spring 27 restores the adjustingscrew 25 and electrode 'to normal position with the end, of theelectrode bearing against the bond terminal. In consequence, the electrodes are alternately withdrawn from the bond terminal, and thenquickly restored against the same, producing the arcing which heats boththe electrodes and the bond terminal very quickly with less current thanwould be required if the two electrodes were permitted to bearcontinuously against the bond erminal, as in the Crecelius and Eberleinapplication before referred to. Consequently, I am enabled by theimprovement erably formed of laminated. material? and just described toreduce the size of the rotary converter and transformer and to reducethe size of the leads connecting the electrodes to the transformer, andthis gives the apparatus still greater flexibility in use.

In the construction shown in- Figs. 5 and 6, the electrodes are vibratedelectrically by means of a magnet, which is mounted on the end of thecarrier 15. This mag: net includes a core 36: which is prefis supportedfrom the carrier 15 by bracket arms 36% This core is surrounded by acoil87, one terminal of which is connected by a connector 38, to one oftheelectrode holders here designated 39, these holders supportingelectrodes 19 similar in all respects to those first described. Theother terminal of the magnet coil 37' is adapted to be connected by aconnector or coupler composed of two parts 4L0 and 4:1 to. onetransformer terminal 42, the other transformer terminal 48 being adaptedto be connected to the other electrode holder, as in the constructionfirst described. This magnet also includes an armature or so-calledkeeper 4 1, which is preferably composed of laminated material, thisarmature being mounted between. the end of the carrier 15 and the magnetcore 36, and having openings through which the adjusting screws 25 pass,these adjusting screws 25 being connected to the slides to which theelectrode holders are secured, as previously described. Each of'theadjusting; screws 25 is provided with a collar or shoulder shown. bydotted lines in Fig. 5, which shoulderisfitted, ina recess on'the rearface of the armature, as shown.

It will be observed from the construction described, that when thecircuit is completed through the electrodes and bond terminal, themagnet is energized because the coil, 37 is in series in the circuit.Upon the energi zation of. the magnet, the armature is at tracted towardthe magnet core and pulls both adj usting, screws outwardly, withdrawingthe electrodes 19 fromthe terminal of the bond. As soon as they arewithdrawn from the bond-the circuit is broken, the mag net isdeenergized, and the'springs 27 immediately restore the electrodesagainst the bond terminal, causing the circuit to be again completed,and the magnet to be energized. With this construction, therefore,

' the electrodes are rapidly vibrated to and fromthe bondterminal,causing the arcing the same as with the mechanical vibrator shown inFigs. 1 to 1. There is this difi'erence,however, in the action of twovibrators, that with the first described construction the electrodes,are alternately withdrawn from the bond terminal, one electrode beinginv engagement, while the other is out of en'- gagement with theterminal, whereas with the electric vibrator, both electrodes arewithboth electrodes are withdrawn therefrom;

Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, but in the drawingsI have shown a simple device consisting of a clamp composed of an arm orbracket 4L6,.whichissecured to the carrier 15, anda spring-pressedfinger or clip t7, the arm and finger being shaped to constitute jawswhich gripthe bond near the terminal thereof and hold the same invpositionindependently of the action of the electrodes.

The construction of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5 and 6is otherwise thesame as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and the description given inconnection. with the first construction wlll suffice for thecorresponding parts of the second construction. corresponding or similarparts bearing the same reference characters.

It will be observed that in neither construction does the vibratoraflect or interfere with the manual adjusting. of the pressures of thetwo electrodes against the bondterminal, but inthe event one electrodeheats the bond terminal more rapidly than the other, by means of theadjusting screws 25 the relative pressures of the electrodes on theterminal can be adjusted or varied to bring about equal or predeterminedheating efi'ects-- opposite both electrodes. In fact, if desired, one ofthe electrodes can be moved inwardly against the bond terminal with suchpressure" that it will not bevibrated or moved away from the terminal bythe vibrator, and this can be done without affect-- ing' the action ofthe vibrator on the other electrode.

While I have shown my invention applied to rail bonding apparatus, Iwish: it to be understood that my invention may be utilized under otherconditions or for other purposes than that of bonding rails.Furthermore, whileI have shownthe invention applied to apparatus havingtwo electrodes, it will be obvious that it can be usedequally well witha single electrode, in which event the circuit will be from one terminalof the transformer or other source of current through the electrode andthrough. thebond terminal and then either from the bond or from the railback to the other terminal of the transformer or source of currenta Itwill be understood also that if a, single vibrating electrode isemployed. it will be desirable to support the bond terminal or othermember to be united to the rail or second metal member, by a clamp orother suitable holding device, and this will be truewhether theelectrode is vibrated mechanically or electrically.

Additionally, it will be understood that the form of the apparatusincluding the manner of mounting or supporting the electrode orelectrodes, as the case may be, and also the means for vibrating theelectrode or electrodes may be varied considerably from theconstructions shown. Especially is this true of the vibrators, which canbe constructed and operated in many specifically different ways.

In the foregoing description I have referred to the fact that with thisapparatus the bonds are brazed to the rail, and it will be understoodthat in practice suitable brazing material will be placed between thebond and the rail. When the apparatus is used for uniting copper bondsto steel rails, and when the heating electrodes are applied to thebonds, as in this case, the bonding can be done only by brazing orsoldering, but the apparatus may under certain conditions be used forwelding together two metal members, especially if the electrode orelectrodes are pressed against the member having the higher fusion ormelting tempera ture.

I, therefore, do not desire to be confined to the exact details shown,but aim in my claims to cover all modifications, constructions andapplications of the invention which do not involve a departure from thespirit and scope of my invention herein described.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an apparatus for uniting metal. bodies, a support, a highresistance heating electrode carried by the support and adapted to bepressed against one of the bodies to be united so as to heat said bodyby conduction, and means for causing a relative movement between saidbody and the electrode whereby one of said parts is moved into and outof engagement with the other so as to cause an arcing between said partsat the point where the electrode heats said body by conduction.

2. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, a support, an electrodecarried by the support and adapted to be pressed against one of thebodies to be united, yieldable means for pressing the electrode againstsaid body. means for alternately withdrawing the electrode from saidbody and then releasing the same, and means for adjusting the pressureof the electrode against the body when the electrode is in contact withthe said body.

3. In a rail bonding apparatus, a clamp adapted to support an electrodeat the side of the rail, a heating electrode carried by said support andadapted to press a bond terminal against the rail, and means forvibrating said electrode to cause the same to alternately move away fromand then into contact with the bond terminal.

4. In a rail bonding apparatus, an electrode support, one or more highresistance heating electrodes mounted on said support at the side of therail, means for pressing the electrode or electrodes against a terminalof the bond engaging the rail, and means acting in opposition to saidmeans for repeatedly or periodically moving the electrodes away from thebond.

5. In a rail bonding apparatus, an electrode support, one or moreelectrodes mounted on said support at the side of the rail, means forpressing the electrode or electrodes against a terminal of the bondengaging the rail, means acting in opposition to said means forrepeatedly or periodically moving the electrode or electrodes away fromthe bond, and means for adjusting the pressure of the electrode orelectrodes against the bond when the former are in engagement therewith.

6. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, a support, a pair ofelectrodes carried by said support and arranged side by side and adaptedto be pressed against one of the bodies to be united while said body isin engagement with the second body, and means for vibrating bothelectrodes so as to cause them to alternately move away from and thenmove in contact with the body which they are adapted to engage.

7. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, an electrode support, apair of electrodes carried thereby and arranged side by side so as tobear against one of the bodies to be united while the latter is engagingthe second body, means for adjusting the pressures of said electrodesagainst the body which they engage, and means for vibrating theelectrodes to cause them to alternately move away from and into contactwith the body which they are adapted to engage.

8. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, an electrode support, oneor more high resistance heating electrodes carried by the support andadapted to bear against one of said bodies so that the latter will beheated by conduction, means for pressing the electrode or electrodesagainst said body with predetermined pressure, and means for causingsaid electrode or electrodes to be vibrated relative to the bodyopposite the point or points where the electrode or electrodes heat saidbody by conduction.

9. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, an electrode support, apair of electrodes mounted side by side on said support and adapted tobear against one of the bodies to be united to a second body, meanscomprising yieldable springs for pressing the electrodes against saidbody with predetermined pressures, and means for alternately movingelectrodes away from said body and then releasing the same whereby theelectrodes are vibrated relative to the body.

10. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, an electrode support, apair of electrodes mounted on said support side by side and adapted tobear against one of the bodies to be united to a second body, meanscomprising yieldable springs for pressing the electrodes against saidbody with predetermined pressures, means for alternately moving theelectrodes away from said body and then releasing the same, whereby theelectrodes are vibrated relative to the body, and means for varying oradjusting the pressures with which the electrodes bear against said bodywhile in engagement therewit 11. In a rail bonding apparatus, a clampadapted to engage a rail, an electrode sup port carried by said clampand located at the side of the rail when the clamp is secured to therail, one or more electrodes carried by said support and adapted to beara ainst the bond terminal, and means for vibrating the electrode orelectrodes against the bond terminal.

12. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies an electrode support, ahigh resistance heating electrode carried thereby and adapted to engageone of said bodies and thereby heat the same by conduction, andelectrically operated means for vibrating the electrode opposite thepoint or area where it engages and heats the body by conduction.

13. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, an electrode support, apair of electrodes arranged side by side, means whereby said electrodesmay be connected in series in an electric circuit, means comprising amagnet for vibrating said electrodes, said magnet being provided with anenergizing coil having one terminal connected to one of the electrodes.

14. In a rail bonding apparatus, an electrode support, an electrodecarried by said support and adapted to press the bond against the rail,means for vibrating the electrode, and means for supporting said bond inposition against the rail independently of the electrode.

15. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, a support, a highresistance heating electrode carried thereby and adapted to be pressedagainst one of the bodies to heat the same by conduction, means forsupplying an electric current to the electrode to heat the same, andmeans for moving one of the elements of the electric circuit so as toproduce an are at the electrode whereby the latter is brought to a hightemperature.

16. In an apparatus for uniting metal bodies, means for applying heatexternally to one of the bodies, comprising a heating electrode adaptedto be pressed against one of the bodies to heat the same by conduction,means for passing a heating current through the electrode and means formoving one ele ment of the electric circuit so as to produce an arewhich intensifies the heat imparted to the electrode and to the bodyadjacent thereto.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my Copies o this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,Washington, I). G.

